Urgent Care vs. ER Cost and Wait Time Comparison

Understanding where to seek medical attention can help you save time, money, and stress. Here's a brief comparison between urgent care and the emergency room:

Urgent Care Typical Cost: $55 – $190 Typical Visit Duration: Less than 60 minutes Ideal For: Non-life-threatening issues Typical Services: Colds, flu, and infections Minor cuts and burns Sprains, strains, and simple fractures School and sports physicals On-site lab and X-ray Occupational medicine Work and DOT physicals Drug screening Workers’ compensation care Appointments: Not required walk-ins are welcome

Emergency Room (ER) Typical Cost: $1,233 – $2,168 Typical Visit Duration: Approximately 4 hours (national average) Ideal For: Life-threatening emergencies Common Reasons to Visit: Chest pain or difficulty breathing Severe bleeding or burns Stroke symptoms Major fractures or trauma Serious injuries or conditions requiring immediate attention Appointments: Not needed, but wait times may be long